Spool holder



July 27, 1965 A. E. MARcoccHlo 3,197,096

SPOOL HOLDER 2 Sheelzs-Shee-l'l 1 Filed July l5, 1963 ALP/fons@ E mecoccf//o Mmmm- HALBEQT Hoeve/4K5@ A 7702A/5 ys July 27, 1965 A. E. MARccHlo 3,197,096'

SPOOL HOLDER Filed July 15, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 e m m w ALP/muso E. MAecoccf//o Anwen/56575 United States Patent() 3,197,096 SPOOL HDLDER Alphonso E. Marcocchio, 1120 S. Crescent Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. Filed .luly 15, 1963, Ser. No. 294,986 7 Claims. (Cl. 22S- 107) This application is a continuation-in-part of applicants co-pending application Serial No. 88,485, led February 10, 1961, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a spool holder, and more particular-ly to a spool holder adapted to maintain a plurality of spools of thread available for instantaneous use.

There is a wide variety of spool holders available, but such spool holders are characterized either by the fact that the spools are exposed to dust and dirt, or by the fact that the spools are contained in boxes or similar containers from which they must be removed for utilization.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a spool holder for a plurality of spools which is characterized by the fact that it includes a transparent enclosure through which the spools may bel viewed and a rotatable spool support, whereby a selected spool may be rotated into juxtaposition to a door in said enclosure. When so rotated, a length of thread may be removed from the selected spool without the removal of the spool from the enclosure.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a spool holder of the aforementioned character which includes a thread cutter installed in the jamb of the aforesaid door whereby, when a selected spool of thread has been rotated into juxtaposition to said door, a length of thread can be removed and cut therefrom by passing it against the aforesaid thread cutter.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a spool holder of the aforementioned character which has a magnetic latch installed upon the frame of the access door to the enclosure. Since the thread cutter is fabricated from magnetic material such as steel, or the like, the magnetic latch, when engaged upon the thread cutter, will hold the access door to the enclosure in closed position.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a spool holder of the aforementioned character which includes a rotatable bracket assembly mounted between the base and top portions of the transparent enclosure, said bracket assembly having a plurality of arms adapted to support a plurality of superimposed spool rings with spool engaging pins thereupon. Therefore, rotation of the bracket assembly Within the transparent enclosure will cause a selected spool to approach the access opening normally closed by the access door to the enclosure.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a spool holder of the aforementioned type which can be fabricated from a wide Variety of dierent materials but which is particularly susceptible to fabrication, in large part, from a single piece of wood, such as veneer plywood, with resulting economy in manufacture.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a spool holder of the aforementioned character which is inexpensive and simple to manufacture and assemble, all parts being readily pre-cut for rapid assembly and the brackets being constructed for slidable mounting upon each other.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, which are for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View showing a spool holder constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention;

rice- FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a view taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view taken on the line 5 5 of FIG. l;

FIG. 6 Iis a View taken on the line 6 6 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, detailed drawing of a thread cutter element of the device of the present invention.

A spool holder, generally designated 10, includes a base 12 of circular configuration formed preferably of plywood or similar material (no restriction as to material being intended).

The base 12 is supported upon feet 14, and has an enclosure or housing 16 mounted thereon. The enclosure 16 is formed of a transparent material, such as plastic, to permit viewing of the contents of the enclosure 16.' The enclosure 16 has a substantially cylindrical lower portion 18 designed for mounting on or closely adjacent to the peripheral edge of the base 12, and the enclosure 16 has a substantially frusto-conical upper portion 20, said upper portion tapering to a top or cap 22, preferably formed of wood o r similar material. Of course, if desired, the enclosure 16 may be formed as an integral unit, including a base and a top, fabricated from clear plastic, and the separate base 12 and the separate top 22 may thus be eliminated.

Access to the interior of the transparent enclosure 16 may be had through a door opening 28 which is deiined by jamb members 30, and which is adapted to be closed by a hinged arcuate door 32 having a magnetic latch 34 mounted upon a stile thereof, for a purpose which will be described in greater detail below. A door knob 35 may also be provided.

Mounted below the base 12 is one or a plurality of drawers 36, illustrated in some detail in FIG. 6 of the drawings, which may be slidable drawers or pivotally mounted drawers, and which may serve as a receptacle for sewing accessories such as needles, pins, measuring tapes, and the like.

Secured to one of the jambs 30 of the door opening 28 is a plurality of thread cutters 38, one of which is shown in detail in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Each thread cutter 3S has a steel mount l2 and a cutting blade 44 pivotally mounted adjacent the free end of the mount 42 as by a pin 46 or the like. The blade 44 is biased relative to the mount 42 by a spring 48. When the door 32 is closed, it is maintained in closed position by abutment of the magnetic latch 34 upon one of the thread cutters 38.

A first bracket Sil, formed preferably of plywood, plastic or like material, is provided. The bracket 50 has a bottom portion 51 and a top portion 52. A narrow, elongate, centrally located slot 53 is formed in the bracket Si? extending axially upward from a iirst groove in the bottom S1 as hereinafter described, the slot 53 extending substantially one-half of the length of the bracket 50 so as to form a part of a joint in the manner hereinafter described.

A first pair of elongate, oppositely disposed arms 54 extends perpendicularly outwardly from the bracket 50 at the bottom 51 of the bracket 50. Lands 55 are formed at the protruding ends of the arms 54. A second pair of oppositely disposed arms 56, parallel :to and spaced apart from the arms 54, extends perpendicularly outwardly from the bracket 50, the arms 54 being somewhat shorter than the arm 56. Lands 57 are formed at the protruding ends of the arms 56. A third pair of oppositely disposed arms 58, in turn parallel to and spaced apart from the arms 56, extends perpendicularly outwardly from the bracket 50, the arms 58 being somewhat shorter than the arms 56. protruding ends of the arms 53. Finally, a fourth pair of oppositely disposed arms 60, parallel to and spaced Lands 59 are formed at theV E apart from the arms '53,V extends perpendicularly voutwardly from the bracket 50,k the arms 6E) being -in turn somewhat shorter than the arms S. The arms 60 have iiat upper surfaces 61, and the arms 60 are disposed on the bracket 59 adjacent to, but spaced below, the top 52 of the bracket Sti.

A first groove 64 is centrally formed at the bottom 51 of the bracket Sti, and the slot 55 terminates at groove 64. A second groove 66 is centrally formed at the top 52 of the bracket 50. A second bracket 79,V substantially similar in configuration to the rst bracket 5t), is provided, the bracket, 70 having arms and lands, Ytlat surfaces and grooves corresponding exactly to the arms 54 and their lands 55, the arms 56 and their ylands 57, the arms 58 and their lands 59, the arms 60 and their 'lat surfaces 61, and the grooves d4 and 66. However, in lieu of the narrow, elongate slot 53 of the bracket Si?, the bracket .70 has a central, axially disposed, narrow, elongate slot 72 extending downwardly from the upper groove in bracket 70 corresponding to the groove 66 of the bracket 50, said slot '72 extending substantially one-half of the length of the bracket 7) and being disposed so that when the brackets and 7i) are assembled with each other, a slidably formed joint is axially'disposed therebetween, with the brackets 56 and 'iti intersecting each other at right angles, the various corresponding arms then being in right-angular orientation with each other, with the corresponding grooves mating to form lower and upper cavities.

Supported upon the lands of the arms S4 of the bracket Sil and the lands of the corresponding arms of the bracket is a first flat ring 9). Similarly, supported upon the ylands 57 of the arms of the bracket 59 and the lands of the corresponding arms of the brackets 59 and 70 is a second flat ring 92, and supported upon the lands 59 of the arms 58 of the bracket 50 andthe lands of the corresponding arms of the bracket '70 is a third at ring 94. The rings 90, 92 and 94 are concentrically mounted relative to each other, and preferably each of the rings 90, 92 and 94'is characterized by the fact that the inner diameter of the lower ring is substantially equivalent to the outer diameter of the ring which is disposed above it, thus facilitating the manufacture of the rings 90, 92 and 94 by `cutting them from a single piece of wood or other material.

A plurality of spool engaging pins 91, 93 and 95 is distributed about the perimeter of the rings gti, 92 and 94, respectively, each of the pins 91, 93 and 95 being adapted to be freely received in the central opening of a spool of thread deposited on its associated ring.

A circular flat platform 96 is supported upon the flat surfaces 61 of the arms titl of the bracket 50 and the fiat surfaces of the corresponding arms of the bracket 76. The platform 96 is concentrically -mounted relative to the rings 90, 92 and 94, and the inner diameter of the ring 94 is substantially equivalent to the outer diameter of the platform 96, thus facilitating the manufacture of the platform 96 by cutting it from the same piece of wood or other material as that from which .the rings 90, 92'and 94 are cut. Recesses 9S are formed at the circumferential edge of the platform 96, the` purpose of said recesses 98 to receive and hold accessory objects such as thimbles.

A needle holder 196,' having a plurality of grooves 102 for the reception of needles or pins, may be provided. Preferably the needle holder 1G@ is mounted on the ring 94 and extends upwardly therefrom, being rearwardly supported by the platform 96. An elongate receptacle 119, for holding accessory items such as measuring tapes or the like, may be disposed below the needle holder 104i, and is preferably seated onVthe ring and rearwardly supported by the rings 92 and 94. A scissors receptacle 12) may also be provided, and may be disposed adjacent to the receptacle 11i), seated on the ring 90, and rearwardly supported in an opening 122. in the bracket '70.

A first circular insert is mounted in the cavity defined by the lower groove 64 of the bracket 5) and the corresponding lower groove of the bracket 70, the insert 139 being somewhat thicker than the depth oi said cavity so that it extends below the lower surface of the bottom 51 ofthe bracket 5t) and the corresponding lower surface of the bottom of .the bracket '70. The insert 130 serves as a mounting for a stud 152 which journals the assembly of the rackets 50 and 7i) on the base 12. Similarly,` a second circular insert 149 is mounted in the cavity defined by the upper groove 65 of the bracket 50 and the corresponding upper groove of the bracket 7), the insert 14) being somewhat thicker than the depth of said cavity so that it extends above the upper surface of the top 52 of the bracket 50 and the Vcorresponding upper surface of the top of the bracket 76. The insert 146 serves as a mounting for a stud 142 which journals the assembly of the brackets 5) and 7E) on the cap l22.

A knob 15@ may be disposed on the cap 22. If desired, the knob 159 may be secured to the stud 142 so that the assembly of the brackets Sil and 7@ may be revolved within the enclosure 16 by turning the knob 156.

1n utilizing `the spool holder 10 of the invention, a selected spool of thread is located within the transparent enclosure 16. The assembly of the brackets 5th and 70 with its superimposed rings in then rotated, as by means of turning the knob 150, until the selected spool is located adjacent the door opening Z8, and the door 32 is opened. the selected spool, passed through a conveniently disposed thread cutter 38, cut from the spoolg and removed. It will, therefore, be obvious that it is unnecessary to remove the selected spool from its associated pin.

It will also be understood that the number of support- A ing rings may be increased or decreased to any desired practicable number in order that relatively larger or smaller quantities of spools of thread may be stored within the enclosure 16. Moreover, individual bobbins for use in sewing machines may be supported on the ringsV intermediate the individual spools, each bobbin corresponding in color to the spool of thread immedif ately adjacent thereto. n

By the provision of the transparent enclosure 16, it is possible to keep all of the spools of thread exposed to View simultaneously while still avoiding the settling of dust and direct thereupon. The' cooperative relation between the magnetic latch and thread cutter permits easy opening of the access door while still maintaining the access door in closed position while the spools of thread are being stored.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment thereof, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims `so as to embrace Iany `and all equivalent structures and devices.

I claim:

1. A spool holder for maintaining a plurality of spools of thread in rotatable position for selective use, which comprises:

(a) a base;

(b) a transparent enclosure mounted on the base, said transparent enclosure being of substantially frustoconical configuration;

(c) a cap mounted upon the upper extremity of the en- Y closure; (d) a door in said enclosure; (e) a pair of brackets intersecting each other at right A length of thread may then be drawn from angles along their central longitudinal axes to form a bracket assembly, said bracket assembly being rotatably mounted on the base and the cap within the enclosure;

(t) protruding aligned arms formed on the brackets;

and

(g) support rings mounted on the arms of the brackets for supporting a plurality of spools of thread,

whereby a selected spool of thread may be moved into juxtaposition to said door and whereby, after the opening of said door, a length of thread may be cut from said selected spool without the removal of said spool.

2. A spool holder for maintaining a plurality of spools of thread in rotatable position for selective use, which comprises:

(a) a substantially frusto-conical transparent enclosure having a base and top portions and incorporating an access door therein;

(b) a pair of brackets intersecting each other at right angles along their central longitudinal axes to form a bracket assembly, said bracket assembly being journaled at its lower and upper extremities in the base and top portions of the enclosure respectively, and said brackets having a plurality of protruding aligned arms;

(c) a plurality of spool supporting rings mounted on the aligned arms, the external diameter of each ring being substantially equivalent to the internal diameter of the ring which is disposed therebelow.

3. A spool holder for maintaining a plurality of spools of thread in rotatable position for selective use, which comprises:

(a) a base;

(b) a transparent enclosure mounted on the base, said transparent enclosure being of substantially frustoconical configuration;

(c) a cap mounted upon the upper extremity of the enclosure;

(d) a door in said enclosure, said door having a jamb;

(e) a magnetic latch on the door;

(t) a thread cutter mounted on a jamb of said door, the thread cutter being magnetically engageable by the latch;

(g) a pair of brackets intersecting each other at right angles along their central longitudinal axes, to form a bracket assembly, said bracket assembly being rotatably mounted on the base and the cap within the enclosure;

(h) protruding aligned arms formed on the brackets;

and

(i) support rings mounted on the arms of the brackets for suporting a plurality of spools of thread,

whereby a selected spool of thread may be moved into juxtaposition to the thread cutter and whereby, after the opening of the door, a length of thread may be cut from said selected spool without the removal of said spool.

(a) a substantially frusto-conical transparent enclosure having base and top portions and incorporating an access door, said door having a jamb therein;

(b) a pair of brackets intersecting each other at right angles along their central longitudinal axes to form a bracket assembly, said bracket assembly being journaled at its lower and uper extremities in the base and top portions of the enclosure respectively, and said brackets having a plurality of spool supporting rings mounted on the aligned arms, the external diameter of each ring being substantially equivalent to the internal diameter of the ring which is disposed therebelow;

(c) a thread cutter mounted on the jamb of the access door whereby, when a selected spool of thread is rotated into juxtaposition thereto, a length of thread can be removed from said selected spool without removing said spool frorn the associated ring; and

(d) a magnetic latch on said door engageable with said thread cutter to maintain said door in closed position.

5. A spool holder as defined in claim 4, wherein the journal mountnig of the assembly of the brackets on the top porton of the enclosure comprises a stud mounted on the assembly and protruding through a bore in the top portion, and including a knob disposed above the top portion and mounted on the stud, whereby when the knob is rotated the assembly will rotate within the enclosure.

6. A spool holder as deiined in claim 5, including supporting legs on the base portion of the enclosure, and including a drawer suspended below the base and between said legs.

7. In a spool holder, the combination of: a substantially frusto-conical transparent enclosure having base and top portions and incorporating an access door therein, said door having a jamb; a rotatable standard journaled at its upper and lower extremities in said base and top portions and having a plurality tot radial brackets secured thereto, each of said brackets incorporating a plurality of equally spaced, radially extending arms; a plurality of spool supporting rings mounted upon said arms, the external diameter of each ring being equivalent to the internal diameter of the ring which -is disposed therebelow; a thread cutter mounted on the jamb of the access door whereby,

when a selected spool of thread is rotated into juxtaposition thereto, a length of thread can be removed from said selected spool without removing said spool from the associated ring; and a magnetic latch on said door engageable with said thread cutter to maintain said door in closed position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 410,175 9/89 McAlister 223-106 2,252,238 8/41 Staiford 312-135 2,521,885 9/50 Vasquez 292-251.5 2,673,669 3/54 Hawkins 223-107 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SPOOL HOLDER FOR MAINTAINING A PLURALITY OF SPOOLS OF THREAD IN ROTATABLE POSITION FOR SELECTIVE USE, WHICH COMPRISES: (A) A BASE; (B) A TRANSPARENT ENCLOSURE MOUNTED ON THE BASE, SAID TRANSPARENT ENCLOSURE BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY FRUSTOCONICAL CONFIGURATION; (C) A CAP MOUNTED UPON THE UPPER EXTREMITY OF THE ENCLOSURE; (D) A DOOR IN SAID ENCLOSURE; (E) A PAIR OF BRACKETS INTERSECTING EACH OTHER AT RIGHT ANGLES ALONG THEIR CENTRAL LONGITUDINAL AXES TO FORM A BRACKET ASSEMBLY, SAID BRACKET ASSEMBLY BEING ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE BASE AND THE CAP WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE; (F) PROTRUDING ALIGNED ARMS FORMED ON THE BRACKETS; AND (G) SUPPORT RINGS MOUNTED ON THE ARMS OF THE BRACKETS FOR SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF SPOOLS OF THREAD, WHEREBY A SELECLTED SPOOL OF THREAD MAY BE MOVED INTO JUXTAPOSITION TO SAID DOOR AND WHEREBY, AFTER THE OPENING OF SAID DOOR, A LENGTH OF THREAD MAY BE CUT FROM SAID SELECTED SPOOL WITHOUT THE REMOVAL OF SAID SPOOL. 